A soluble fiber supplement should be extremely helpful for managing IBS symptoms - IF it's used properly. Soluble fiber is a key to preventing the abdominal spasms and bowel dysfunction of IBS Broncos Justin Simmons Jersey , and this is just as true for supplements as it is for soluble fiber foods. Soluble fiber works by absorbing liquids in the digestive tract to form a stabilizing gel that relieves cramping and prevents both diarrhea and constipation. Clinical studies with IBS patients have repeatedly proven the benefits of soluble fiber supplements. However - in order for soluble fiber supplements to work, you have to take a high enough dose, and many people don't. It's particularly easy to take too little of a supplement that's in tablet form, as most soluble fiber pills and capsules have only 12 gram of fiber. In comparison, most powder supplements contain 2-4 grams of soluble fiber per dose. Ideally, you'll gradually work up to a soluble fiber supplement dosage of 12-15 grams per day (and possibly up to 30 grams per day, particularly for constipation Broncos Jake Butt Jersey , though you may also stabilize at a lower dose. Remember that different people have varying tolerances and adjustment periods to soluble fiber supplements; this means that it can take from several days to two weeks or longer for your body to adjust to the increased fiber intake. Your symptoms should NOT dramatically worsen during this introductory period, and you may well see immediate improvement, but if you don't notice any difference the first day or two have patience. Soluble fiber may be the single greatest aid for controlling IBS symptoms you'll ever find, so give it a fair chance. Best of all, soluble fiber supplements can be taken daily forever with no harmful side effects or risk of addiction. In fact, they have health benefits far beyond managing IBS, as soluble fiber has been shown to lower LDL ("bad") blood cholesterol levels Broncos Chad Kelly Jersey , reduce the risk of heart disease, and minimize colon cancer risks. Soluble fiber also slows the absorption of fats and carbohydrates into the bloodstream, which improves glycemic control and helps prevent the formation of free radicals. It also lowers insulin requirements. The most common soluble fiber supplements are: Acacia Tummy Fiber, Equalactin, FiberChoice, Benefiber, Metamucil Broncos Brendan Langley Jersey , Konsyl, Fybogel, Citrucel, and Fibercon. Most are widely available at drug stores and pharmacies, and they don't require a prescription (they are not drugs, just a dietary supplement). Acacia is gum arabic, Metamucil and Fybogel contain psyllium Broncos Carlos Henderson Jersey , Citrucel contains methylcellulose, Equalactin and Fibercon contains calcium polycarbophil, Benefiber contains guar gum, and FiberChoice contains inulin. Acacia Tummy Fiber and Benefiber are pure soluble fiber - the other brands contain fillers, binders, sweeteners, citric acid Broncos Demarcus Walker Jersey , or other added ingredients. Acacia Tummy Fiber is the only organic and prebiotic soluble fiber supplement on the market. If you're at all prone to bloating or gas (and many folks with IBS are), please avoid both psyllium and inulin (the main ingredients in Metamucil, Konsyl, Fybogel, and FiberChoice), which can seriously worsen these problems in people with IBS. Try another soluble fiber variety (particularly Acacia Tummy Fiber, which has been found to have excellent gastrointestinal tolerance and to increase good gut flora) instead. Also Broncos Garett Bolles Jersey , be aware that the sugar-free versions of the soluble fiber supplements can contain artificial sweeteners, which can trigger diarrhea, gas, and cramps. In addition, citric acid is often added to orange-flavored supplements, and this can cause acid reflux in susceptible people (though it doesn't typically bother IBS). Aside from the high rate of problems with psyllium and inulin, there is a great deal of individual variation here in how someone responds to any particular soluble fiber supplement. So if you have gas or bloating from starting a supplement that doesn't disappear after a week or so Women's Jeff Heuerman Jersey , don't be discouraged, just try a different brand and perhaps a different formulation (the pills instead of powder, or vice versa). It may take several different tries to find the soluble fiber supplement that works best for you, but the results will be well worth the effort. It's also crucial that you start at a low dose and increase gradually, to give your gut time to adjust to the fiber increase. To initially stabilize yourself, try taking a soluble fiber supplement first thing in the morning as soon as you awake, before meals Women's Shane Ray Jersey , and again before bedtime. Follow the dosage recommendations on the bottles and remember - start at a low dose and gradually increase your intake. Don't be afraid to try both the powders and caplets, and a variety of brands, as people's preferences and tolerances vary widely here. You can also feel free to mix and match different soluble fiber supplements. Some folks prefer to take the powders at home but carry caplets with them in their purse or pocket, keep them in the car, and hide a stash in their desk drawer at work. The supplements are great to have on hand when you find yourself unexpectedly eating out, going too long between meals, or just feeling a little shaky. Taking a soluble fiber supplement with a large glass of tepid water or IBS-friendly herbal tea will always give you extra protection against attacks in dicey situations. What's most confusing to many folks with IBS about soluble fiber supplements is that many of them (Metamucil Women's Adam Gotsis Jersey , Citrucel, Fibercon, Equalactin) are marketed as over-the-counter laxatives. This means that they're bound by the FDA prescribing guidelines for those products. As a result, the supplements must have the dosage limitations on their packaging that apply to OTC anti-diarrheal and laxative drugs, even though they are not drugs but soluble fiber. The FDA packaging guidelines for this category do not discriminate between drugs and soluble fiber. This explains why the dosages for these product
